The Green Bay Packers have released Charles Woodson, 2009's NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

"We are grateful for all that Charles has given to the Green Bay Packers over the past seven years," Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement. "He has been an integral part of the Packers' success and our Super Bowl title in 2010 would not have been possible without his contributions.

"A once-in-a-generation talent as a player, he is also a great leader and ambassador for the organization off the field. Charles will always be a member of the Packers family and we look forward to his eventual induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. We wish him and his family all the best."

Woodson was due $9 million in 2013 and would count $10 million against the cap.

"It's part of the business," agent Carl Poston told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport before the Packers made the release official. "I just talked to (Woodson). He sounds like he has a lot of football left. He'd like to go play for a contender, win another Super Bowl."